Representation theory

1) Why is representation an important concept in Media Studies?

Representation is important because it is the initial reaction you aim for your audience to get when seeing your media product. It is the communication between the producer and audience.

2) How does the example of Kate Middleton show the way different meanings can be created in the media?

It can show the different ways different groups of audiences may interpret the meaning. The meaning depends on many different aspects like whether it comes form a reliable source, whether it is real or fake, whether it has been edited or not etc. Most images seen on articles or magazines or whatever is most likely been through an editing stage to alter the original image in order to get what the producer wants the audience to get from it.

3) Summarise the section 'The how, who and why of media representation' in 50 words.

Producers consider the expectations and needs of the target audience, the limits the genre codes provide, the type of narrative they want and their institutional remit in order to give off the impact they want on the audience. The producers must pick which aspects to focus heavily on and which ones to cast aside.

4) How does Stuart Hall's theory of preferred and oppositional readings fit with representation?

Stuart Halls theory was that audiences are able to interpret a media  product in whatever way they saw fit.  This links to representation as producers are trying to persuade audiences to think in a certain way and to make them interpret in a certain way. 

5) How has new technology changed the way representations are created in the media?

There us such a wide rage on online social media apps that allow a number of people to post their opinions which may vary regarding the topic. Furthermore, the wide number of users means anyone is able to edit fake versions of something and post it off which may alter the meaning of the picture or article etc.

6) What example if provided of how national identity is represented in Britain - and how some audiences use social media to challenge this?

National identity is mostly raised during national sports competitions. The Sub sent free newspapers to 22 million households in England during the 2014 world cup to spread its message of 'Englishness'. This may be what lead some people to identify themselves but now that social media has grown, there are many posts online that may change how people see themselves and others. Due to this, it makes it harder for people to truly identify who they are nationally.